Enclosure No.___ to DepEd Memorandum No. ___s, 2025
2025 NATIONAL FESTIVAL
OF TALENTS
Implementing Guidelines on
Read-A-Thon (English)
The categories, components, number of learner-participants and teachercoaches, and time allotment for Read-A-Thon (English) per region are
provided
as
follows:
Component
No. of
LearnerParticipant
No. of
TeacherCoach
Time
Allotment
Story Retelling
Read-AThon
1
1
30 minutes
Story Resolution
Challenge
Read-AThon
1
1
25 minutes
Read-AThon
1
1
96 minutes
3
3
Category
Elementary
Secondary
Five-Minute Pecha
Kucha
Total
Enclosure No.___ to DepEd Memorandum No. ___s, 2025
READ-A-THON (ENGLISH)
(A Showcase of English Language Skills Contest)
STORY RETELLING
COMPONENT
AREA
KEY STAGE
EVENT TITLE
NO. OF
PARTICIPANT/S
TIME ALLOTMENT
PERFORMANCE
STANDARDS
21ST CENTURY
SKILL/S
CREATIVE
INDUSTRIES
DOMAIN
DESCRIPTION
READ-A-THON
Key Stage One (1): Grade Three (3)
Story Retelling
1 Grade Three (3) learner-participant per region
30 minutes including preparation
The learner uses speaking skills and strategies
appropriately to communicate ideas in varied theme-based
tasks (oral language); accurately, fluently, and creatively
reads aloud literary texts (fluency); and proficiently uses
English vocabulary in varied and creative oral and written
activities (vocabulary).
Communication Skills and Learning & Innovation Skills
Performing Arts Domain
Story Retelling is an NFOT event category of Read-A-Thon
that determines how well learner-participants have
comprehended a specific story read by retelling it using
their own words and expressions.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
A. MATERIALS, To be provided by the
To be provided by the event
TOOLS AND participants:
organizers:
EQUIPMENT
• Supplies and materials
None
• Timer and flags
• Strips of paper for
drawing of lots
• Number identifier
• Wireless microphone
with stand
• Sound system
• Certificates
• Pencils
• Ball pens
• Folders
• Calculators
• Bond paper
• Holding Area,
Preparation Area, and
Contest Area
• Signages (e.g.,
Preparation Area,
Holding Area, and
Contest Area)
Enclosure No.___ to DepEd Memorandum No. ___s, 2025
B. VENUE
CRITERIA FOR
JUDGING
•
•
•
Holding Area
Preparation Room
Contest Room
Criteria
Mastery of the Story
● Retell accurately the significant
details and elements of the story
read.
● Communicate the story in a
sequential order within the allotted
time.
Voice Projection
● Retell the story creatively with correct
use of language and loudly enough for
the audience to hear.
● Observe proper stress, intonation,
and juncture.
Stage Presence
● Show confidence and appropriate
posture/projection, facial
expressions, and gestures.
● Engage the audience with a strong
and suitable presence.
Total
Percentage
50%
30%
20%
100%
MECHANICS
A. Story Retelling event is open to all Grade Three (3) learners who are
officially enrolled in public or private schools. This shall be done under the
contest category. Each region shall register one (1) learner-participant and
one (1) teacher-coach.
B. A printed copy of a story in English, a pen, and paper shall be provided to
the learner-participants by the National Technical Working Group (NTWG)
during the event. These shall be retrieved from them before their actual
performance.
C. All learner-participants will stay in the Holding Area without hearing the
performance of other learner-participants, while the next learnerparticipant will stay in the Preparation Room before the performance.
D. Drawing of lots by the learner-participants for their number identifier shall
be done thirty (30) minutes before the event proper.
E. At the event venue, learner-participants shall be given twenty-five (25)
minutes to silently read the given story. They may use pen and paper to
organize their thoughts. Then, they shall retell the story read using their own
words which shall not exceed five (5) minutes.
F. Learner-participants shall not be allowed to read the story again during their
performance.
G. Colored flags shall be raised by the NTWG to cue the learner-participant
during the event proper:
• Green flag - start of performance
Enclosure No.___ to DepEd Memorandum No. ___s, 2025
•
•
Yellow flag - 30 seconds remaining
Red flag - end of performance
H. Using and bringing of any of the following are prohibited in the entire event:
• cellphone or any gadget
• reference materials/handouts
• copy of any story
• costumes and props
• musical instrument/accompaniment
I. Learner-participants are required to wear plain white t-shirt (no
school/division/region identification) and jeans (maong) during the event.
Enclosure No.___ to DepEd Memorandum No. ___s, 2025
READ-A-THON (ENGLISH)
(A Showcase of English Language Skills Contest)
STORY RESOLUTION CHALLENGE
COMPONENT
AREA
KEY STAGE
EVENT TITLE
NO. OF
PARTICIPANT/S
TIME
ALLOTMENT
PERFORMANCE
STANDARDS
21ST CENTURY
SKILL/S
CREATIVE
INDUSTRIES
DOMAIN
DESCRIPTION
READ-A-THON
Key Stage Two (2): Grade Six (6)
Story Resolution Challenge
1 Grade six (6) learner-participant per region
25 minutes including preparation
The learner uses speaking skills and strategies appropriately
to communicate ideas in varied theme-based tasks (oral
language); uses knowledge of stress and intonation of speech
to appropriately evaluate the speaker’s intention, purpose and
meaning (fluency); uses linguistic cues to appropriately
construct meaning from a variety of texts for a variety of
purposes (reading comprehension); and publishes texts using
appropriate text types for a variety of audiences and purposes
(writing and composition).
Communication, Learning and Innovation Skills
Performing Arts Domain
Story Resolution Challenge is an NFOT event category of
Read-A-Thon that allows learner-participants to demonstrate
their creative and interpretive skills in reading aloud the story
and ability to provide logical ending using effective verbal and
non-verbal strategies.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
C. MATERIALS, To be provided by the
To be provided by the event
TOOLS AND participants:
organizers:
EQUIPMENT
• Supplies and materials
None
• Timer and flags
• Strips of paper for
drawing of lots
• Number identifier
• Sound system
• Certificates
• Pencils
• Ball pens
• Folders
• Calculators
• Bond paper
• Lapel
• Holding Area,
Preparation Area, and
Contest Area
Enclosure No.___ to DepEd Memorandum No. ___s, 2025
•
D. VENUE
CRITERIA FOR
PRESENTATION
•
•
•
Signages (e.g.,
Preparation Area,
Holding Area, and
Contest Area)
Holding Area
Preparation Room
Contest Room
Criteria
Oral Interpretation
Percentage
•
Read aloud creatively and accurately
the message/theme, emotions, mood,
character, and all other elements of the
story.
• Establish creative and dramatic impact
throughout the presentation to connect
and engage with the audience.
Story Extension
•
•
•
•
Demonstrate originality and innovative
ideas in the resolution.
Provide logical and consistent story
ending that connects with the original
narrative.
Align character actions with their
established traits in the story.
Use correct language conventions in
conveying message.
Voice Projection
• Speak clearly, distinctly, and with
appropriate and varied pauses, pitch,
and tone modulation.
• Recite loudly enough for the audience to
hear.
Stage Presence
• Show confidence, authenticity,
appropriate posture/projection, facial
expressions, and gestures.
Total
35%
35%
15%
15%
100%
EVENT RULES AND MECHANICS
A. Story Resolution Challenge event is open to all Grade six (6) learners who
are officially enrolled in public or private schools. This shall be done under
the contest category. Each region shall register one (1) learner-participant
and one (1) teacher-coach.
B. All learner-participants shall stay in the Holding Area without hearing the
presentation of other participants, while the next learner-participant shall
stay in the Preparation Room to prepare for the presentation.
C. Drawing of lots by the participants for their number identifier shall be done
thirty (30) minutes before the event proper. A printed copy of an open-ended
Enclosure No.___ to DepEd Memorandum No. ___s, 2025
and developmentally-appropriate story in English shall be provided to the
participants one at a time by the National Technical Working Group (NTWG)
during the event.
D. At the Preparation Room, participants shall be given twenty (20) minutes to
study the story and write the story resolution.
E. The learner-participant shall read aloud the given story and its logical
ending all within the 5-minute allotment in the Contest Room.
F. Colored flags shall be raised by the NTWG to cue the learner-participant
during the event proper:
• Green flag - start of performance
• Yellow flag - 30 seconds remaining
• Red flag - end of performance
G. Using and bringing of any of the following are prohibited in the entire event:
a. cellphone or any gadget
b. reference materials/handouts
c. copy of any story
d. costumes and props
e. musical instrument/accompaniment
H. Learner-participants are required to wear plain white t-shirt (no
school/division/region identification) and jeans (maong) during the event.
RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS
● Supplies and materials
● Timer and flags
● Strips of paper for drawing of lots
● Number identifier
● Wireless microphone/lapel
● Sound system
● Certificates
● Pencils
● Ball pens
● Folders
● Calculators
● Bond paper
● Holding Area, Preparation Area, and Contest Room
● Signages (Preparation Area, Holding Area, Contest Area, Coaches and
Parents’ Area)
Enclosure No.___ to DepEd Memorandum No. ___s, 2025
READ-A-THON (ENGLISH)
(A Showcase of English Language Skills Contest)
FIVE-MINUTE PECHA KUCHA
COMPONENT
AREA
KEY STAGE
EVENT TITLE
NO. OF
PARTICIPANT/S
TIME ALLOTMENT
PERFORMANCE
STANDARD
21ST CENTURY
SKILL/S
CREATIVE
INDUSTRIES
DOMAIN
DESCRIPTION
READ-A-THON
Key Stage Three (3): Grade Ten (10)
Five-Minute Pecha Kucha
1 Grade Ten (10) learner-participant per region
96 minutes
The learner skillfully delivers a speech for a special occasion
through utilizing effective verbal and non-verbal strategies
and ICT resources.
Communication Skills
Information, Media and Technology Skills,
Learning and Innovation Skills
Life and Career Skills
Performing Arts Domain
Five-Minute Pecha Kucha is an NFOT event category of
Read-A-Thon that determines how well learners deliver a
speech for a special occasion through utilizing effective
verbal and non-verbal strategies, and Information and
Communications Technology resources.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
E. MATERIALS, To be provided by the
To be provided by the event
TOOLS AND participants:
organizers:
EQUIPMENT • Laptop installed with MS • Projector/ LED Screen/
PowerPoint 2010 or
TV 55” or better
latest version
• Extension cords
• Lapel
• HDMI/VGA Cables
• Flash Drives
F. VENUE
CRITERIA FOR
JUDGING
Holding Room
Preparation Room
Contest Room
Criteria
Composition
• Compose a short, logical, and
coherent speech relevant to
given topic or theme.
• Use words that represent own
thoughts, feelings, and
expressions.
• Cite sources properly.
Delivery and Voice Projection
• Speak clearly, distinctly, and
with appropriate and varied
Percentage
40%
30%
Enclosure No.___ to DepEd Memorandum No. ___s, 2025
poses, pitch, and tone
modulation.
• Project loudly enough for the
audience to hear.
• Deliver the speech in a formal,
dignified, engaging, and
persuasive manner.
• Perform within the allotted
time.
Media Presentation
• Use appropriate and effective
presentation standards (color,
effects/animation, number of
lines per slide, images)
Stage Presence
• Show confidence and
appropriate posture or
projection, facial expressions,
and gestures
Total
20%
10%
100%
MECHANICS
A. Five-Minute Pecha Kucha event is open to all Grade Ten (10) learners who
are officially enrolled in public or private schools. This shall be done under
the contest category. Each region shall register one (1) learner-participant
and one (1) teacher-coach.
B. Drawing of lots by the participants for their number identifier shall be done
thirty (30) minutes before the event proper.
C. There shall be four (4) Phases in this event:
Phase 1 – Text Immersion (30 Minutes)
1. Three (3) grade-level appropriate informational texts stored in the
flash drive shall be provided to the participants by the National
Technical Working Group (NTWG) during the event in the Holding
Room. This shall be retrieved from them before their presentation.
2. Learner-participant shall be given thirty (30) minutes to read the
texts.
Phase 2 - Topic Outlining (20 Minutes)
1. Learner-participant shall be given twenty (20) minutes to outline
his/her presentation using laptops.
Phase 3 – Presentation Preparation (40 Minutes)
1. Learner-participant shall use MS PowerPoint applying the
presentation standards and utilize available text resources like
images, graphics, or any found in the MS PowerPoint.
2. Each presentation shall be limited to 15 slides and each slide shall
be automatically timed 20 seconds. Presentation time shall be 5
minutes only.
3. Learner-participant is given 30 minutes to prepare his/her
presentation and 10 minutes to rehearse and finalize his/her output.
Enclosure No.___ to DepEd Memorandum No. ___s, 2025
4. Learner-participant shall save the file using the filename format:
Entry Number_Event Contest Code (ex: 01_PK).
5. NTWG shall collect and save the file in his/her laptop and ensure
that the file is working and ready for presentation. Once saved,
learner-participant shall not be allowed to open his/her laptop.
Phase 4 – Presentation Proper (6 Minutes)
1. Before the delivery, the learner is given 1 minute for technical check
and rehearsal and five (5) minutes for presentation.
2. The NTWG shall raise the green flag to cue the start of the slide
presentation.
D. Using and bringing of any of the following are prohibited in the entire event:
• cellphone or any gadget
• reference materials/handouts
• copy of any story
• costumes and props
• musical instrument/accompaniment.
E. Learner-participant shall wear corporate attire during the contest.
RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS
• Supplies and materials
• Timer and flaglet (green only)
• Strips of paper for drawing of lots
• Number identifier
• Sound system
• Certificates
• Pencils
• Ball pens
• Folders
• Calculators
• Bond paper
• Projector/ LED Screen/ TV 55” or better
• Extension cords
• HDMI/VGA Cables
• Flash Drives
• Laptop
• Holding Area, Preparation Area, and Contest Area Signages (e.g.,
Preparation Area, Holding Area, and Contest Area)